In-situ damage self-sensing and strength recovery activated by self-electricity in carbon fibrous composites embedded with multi-functional interleaves

It is challenging to simultaneously in-situ monitor and then repair the delamination crack of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) without sacrificing the initial mechanical properties. Herein, two sandwich interleaves are prepared by using healable poly (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid), reinforced and conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and shear-resistant epoxy columns, to achieve self-sensing and self-healing functionalities. The results reveal that both interleaves show significant self-resistance changes to damage initiation and tensile strength of the interleaves themselves can be restored to 67.9–69.1%. Also, the interleaved CFRP exhibits obvious resistance change features during the progressive damage process after multiple healings. Moreover, a self-healing efficiency of more than 90% to interlaminar shear strength after two damage-healing cycles can be obtained. Furthermore, the interleaf with more CNTs possesses higher initial and healed strength. Therefore, the proposed interleaves can be used to prepare CFRP structure with self-sensing and self-healing functions, thereby with improved service reliability and service life.